“How did you come across her?”
She smiles a malicious smile. How did I ever want this woman? “I have a friend who owns a temp agency, and she called me with a tip. The girl’s sister is dating Spencer.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Her sister, Olivia, is Spencer’s new love interest,” she purrs, and all the muscles in my back tighten.
“What are you up to?”
“Me? Up to something? Don’t be silly, dear.”
“I told you I was done. And I am done. I’m not sure what you’re planning, but this girl has nothing to do with it.”
“Of course she doesn’t. I just knew you needed a new assistant, and when I heard you asked Miles to look into her, I found it . . . interesting. Was I wrong to assume she meant something to you?” She narrows her eyes at me, and I will myself to not give anything away. Not to give her the bait she needs to make my life an even bigger shit show. Because right now with everything else going on, with the impending opening of The L, a volatile Chelsea is not what I need. I grit my teeth and try to remain calm.
“Were you looking to hire someone, or was there another reason you had the head of security for The L look into some girl?”
My mouth opens and shuts as I try to come up with a plausible answer.
“You have to admit, Grant, hiring her could be beneficial to our cause. She may have inside information. Is this going to be a problem?”
“I said we’re dropping the shit with my brother, Chelsea. No more.”
“Don’t be silly. I don’t want to stir up anything else. She just might know if he plans to retaliate. Don’t make an issue where there isn’t one. We don’t want problems, do we?”
She has me. I can’t afford to piss off Chelsea. Not now. Not yet. Maybe not ever. Maybe I did this on purpose. Maybe subconsciously, I wanted to get caught. To find a way out of the hellhole I’m in. But there’s no way out. None that won’t hurt Isabella. I made my bed. Now I need to lie in it, no matter how crappy the goddamn mattress is, and it’s pretty fucking bad.
Once again Chelsea has ruined something that was just for me. She’s blindsided me, and in turn, I’ve managed to offend the second person who made me feel something other than regret for the first time in years. Bridget was one moment just for me. For that one moment, I tasted bliss. In her mouth, I found it. But behind every kiss was a lesson. A bitter one. Reminding and reiterating the one thing I should have never forgotten.
Nothing comes without a price.
Most importantly no one can be trusted. Not even myself.
I never should have trusted Miles.
Why did he tell Chelsea about my interest is Bridget? What’s in it for him?
I can’t trust anyone. Not even my own team.
There was a time I trusted my brother. He was the only person I could rely on. As my older brother, Spencer would have reminded me I had choices and could leave. Start over. But that was then, and this is now. He’d never understand. Everything falls into place for him. Nothing works out for me. Case in point, my new assistant. What am I going to do about this massive fuck up?
Fuck. I have to be at least ten years older than her. But when she was looking at me at the bar, and when we got outside and she was pressed against the wall of the building, all I could do—all I could think about—was how much I needed to be inside her.
I just agreed to work with this girl, but I can’t do it. I don’t have the strength. When she stands in front of me, all I’m reminded of is her taste. When she exhales in a huff, the moans that escaped her mouth come crashing into my mind. I should have told her to resign.
She’s the one person who makes me feel. It’s been so long. I never thought I’d feel that way again. The need. The desire. I thought that part of me had died. But she awakened an unquenchable hunger. It gnaws in my gut. Having her for even five minutes was too much. Trying to resist will be torture. Even now, I want to bend her over my desk and plunge into her heat. I want to taste the fire inside her. Bask in her. Empty everything I’ve held back into her. Lose myself in her.
It can never happen.
The door opens, and a very different Bridget walks in. When she first walked into my office today, the spark was there. But after I berated her, it’s as if I ignited a fire inside her. She’s determined not to let me get to her. I can see it, and damn if it isn’t the sexiest thing.
“Mr. Lancaster. Here are the papers you asked for,” she spits out.
She hates me, and fuck if it doesn’t sting.
The first day of being Grant’s assistant hasn’t gone well at all.
I saw a small glimpse of kindness in him the night I went to the lounge, and I kept hoping it would return, but it hasn’t. Today has been awful and slow. All he seems to do is bark orders at me, and for the most part, he’s sent me all over the hotel so he didn’t have to be near me. At noon, with my stomach growling, I walk into his office.
“What time should I be eating lunch?”
He lifts his head, then looks over at his computer. I assume he’s dismissed me, and I’m not sure what to do when he looks back at me.
“Did you bring something to eat?”
“Uh, no.”
“Well, then, make your way to the restaurant and give them your work card. The food is free for those who work here. Why don’t you know this?” he grumbles, still not looking up from his computer.
“I do know this, but I don’t have a work card. They never gave me one.”
A loud groan emanates from him, then he finally looks up at me. “Head over to HR and get one but be back here by one.”
“Got it.” I walk out.
I’m glad to get out of his office. But mostly I have no idea how I’m ever going to work with him. It’s only been half a day, and already it’s been like torture.
I make my way to HR and knock on Paige’s door. “Hey, good to see you. I hope you’re having a wonderful day.” She smiles tentatively. “You’ve really saved our skin here.”
“About that. Any chance there’s anywhere else you can place me?”
“Is there an issue with Mr. Lancaster?” Paige’s voice sounds surprised, but the pinched expression on her face speaks volumes. She knows damn well that working for that man is intolerable. I won’t tell her the truth for so many obvious reasons, but I really need to try to get relocated.
“No, nothing’s wrong. I just don’t think I’m suited for that position, and I really don’t want to let anyone down,” I lie.
“I’m sure you’ll do wonderfully. If Mr. Lancaster himself has yet to complain, you must be doing something right.” Paige’s face is hopeful. “There really isn’t any other place I can put you that is more needed. Mr. Lancaster is in dire need of an assistant. Mrs. Lancaster placed you herself.”
My stomach sours at the mention of Mrs. Lancaster.
“She did?” How ironic that of all the candidates she’d choose me. It’s absolutely insane.